New welfare requirements will destroy Polish breeding, production costs will increase by up to 23%

A Polish subcommittee has discussed the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) recommendations on animal welfare, which could become the basis for future European Commission legislation. The EFSA suggestions aim to enhance the living conditions of various farm animals, including pigs, dairy cows, calves, laying hens, and poultry. These recommendations include limiting broiler growth rates, reducing stocking densities, and banning cage systems for laying hens and quails. However, these proposals have met opposition from the agricultural sector, with concerns about the potential impact on self-sufficiency, environmental factors, and the need for additional resources and production space. Critics argue that these changes could lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, water and feed demand, and the need to build more poultry houses, which may have negative environmental implications. They also raise concerns about the possibility of Polish and European poultry farming no longer being economically viable under these conditions, potentially forcing the industry to shift its operations to countries with lower animal welfare standards.